Skiing with Goofy, Tigger and Pluto

Walt Disney World has offered various forms of entertainment on Seven Seas Lagoon since opening in 1971. Let’s take a closer look at the Magic Kingdom Entertainment Character Ski Team from a 1999 Eyes and Ears.

Who wouldn’t love to see this from the ferryboat as you made your way to the Magic Kingdom early in the morning? Besides, how often do you get to see Tigger in a cowboy hat and Goofy wearing a rain poncho?

The Magic Kingdom Entertainment Department goes above and beyond for guests each summer by featuring the Magic Kingdom Entertainment Character Ski Team.

This team splashes its way around the Seven Seas Lagoon for 10 weeks each summer. In the mornings, guests traveling to the Magic Kingdom Park on ferryboats are surprised to see either Goofy, his son Max, Pluto or Tigger skiing by their ferryboat.

“This is where the characters livc and play, and that gives [guests] an opportunity to see them,” said Toby Williams, coordinator for the Character Ski Team.

In the afternoon, the team shows up on the shores of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. They swim and interact with guests at the resort.

“For many guests, it’s the first time they see a character once they get on property,” said Celina Uribe, a Magic Kingdom Entertainment manager.

This team of characters swims in pools, swishes down slides and even shows young guests simple swimming techniques.

When they’re skiing on the water, the team surprises hundreds of guests daily with wake jumps, helicopters and other tricks, such as skiing backward and sitting down on their skis.

The ski team recently ended its summer session for 1999. Cast Members should look for the team to begin entertaining and amazing guests on the Seven Seas Lagoon next summer.

October 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The Vacation Kingdom has seen a lot of changes over the past four decades and the editorial staff at Imaginerding wants to celebrate the unique and rich history of the resort with a series of posts. A very special thanks to Celeste Cronrath for designing the series of logos. Make sure to follow her on Twitter.